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Vancouver International Airport (YVR) faced hours-long security lines on Sunday due to an “unexpected staffing shortage” among security screeners. Travelers reported significant delays, with some waiting for extended periods to pass through security.
YVR acknowledged the issue on Twitter, expressing gratitude for passengers’ patience and stating that its “guest experience team” was deployed to assist with crowd management.
The airport explained in an emailed statement that the staffing problem was due to a shortage at CATSA’s (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) contracted security screening provider, Allied Universal. The airport noted that passengers were being processed but were experiencing longer-than-usual wait times at security checkpoints.
CATSA also addressed the issue, revealing that Allied Universal was facing high absenteeism among screening officers at YVR. The agency urged travelers to be patient, arrive early, and prepare for delays.
A traveler reported to CTV News that a security worker indicated the high absenteeism was due to a dispute over compensation between workers and their employer. However, Allied Universal denied these claims, stating that the absenteeism was not related to any sanctioned union activity and attributing it to unexpectedly high absentee rates.
Allied Universal assured that it is working to “normalize” operations and has recently hired nearly 300 screening agents since summer began. The company continues to receive a high volume of applications for open positions.
Despite the staffing issues, YVR reported that passenger numbers have not increased significantly, with around 67,000 passengers daily this week and an estimated 69,000 on Sunday. The airport had 17 screening lines open on Sunday, compared to the usual 20 to 23 lines needed for similar traffic levels.
YVR apologized for the inconvenience and emphasized the need for a long-term solution to prevent future delays, acknowledging that while it has not faced the same congestion as other airports recently, Sunday’s situation highlighted the importance of addressing these issues.
